If you have school-aged children and are looking at Houston homes for sale, questions about schools are bound to come up. What local school options exist? Does one district have a better performance record than another? What would be the best fit for my child? The task can seem overwhelming - especially in a city as large as Houston. Although the options are many, having the right information and resources can help make the decision process easy (OK, easier).
First, arm yourself with some basic facts. Not surprisingly, the Houston Independent School District (HISD) is the largest in the Houston area. With almost 300 schools and over 200,000 students, it's also the largest school district in Texas.
In addition to HISD, there are over two dozen school districts in the Houston area, ranging from small, 6-campus districts like Huffman and Crosby near Lake Houston, to larger 60- to 70-campus districts such as Aldine, Cypress-Fairbanks and Fort Bend ISDs. The city also has some 224 private schools in the area. To find a wealth of information for all levels of Metro area schools, go to the Houston schools section on the 2M Realty website.
Consider the overall quality of schools. The Texas Education Agency assigns ratings to public schools from "exemplary" to "academically unacceptable," and Houston has over 400 schools with the highest rating. Check out School Finder to search for schools by their accountability ratings, SAT scores, demographic make-up, teacher experience, and of course, location.
Consider your child's learning needs and interests. While an "exemplary" rating is certainly desirable to many, a school's specific academic programs may ultimately be more important to your child's success. Does your child have special learning needs, or a specific interest you're looking to nurture? Check school district websites, call schools directly to ask about available programs, and speak with parents in the neighborhood to get a full picture of the opportunities available, because they can vary widely between schools.
Examples of some of the unique academic programs in the Houston area schools include: a 21-school magnet program in Aldine offering academies for students in pre-K through high school; charter schools in Spring Branch, including a combined middle and high school; high school academies in Ft. Bend offering 10 career development programs including international business, medical science and engineering; and an accelerated math program for middle schoolers in Cy-Fair.
Consider the tax rate. Whether you choose public or private schools for your family, you will, of course, pay taxes to the school district you live in. While Texas schools get funding from the state and federal governments, a significant amount of their funding comes from local property taxes. Houston property tax rates for schools range from about $1.15 - $1.50 per $100 of home value and most districts will list this information on their websites. While a higher property tax rate doesn't necessarily equate to better education, it is something to consider - if only for its impact to your mortgage bill.
From smaller districts with a strong sense of community to larger ones with cutting-edge technology, the Houston area truly offers a diverse range of educational options. So when you‘re looking for Houston real estate, with the perfect school around the corner, know that a little homework can lead you to the right place.
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